Hi! My name is Marinda Loertscher. I am from Boise Idaho and grew up in a large family with five siblings. I graduated this year with my bachelor’s degree in Marriage and Family Studies and am excited to use this knowledge to enable me to be an effective child and family advocate. So far I have had many opportunities to advocate for the family in a variety of settings including at the United Nations, as an intern for a locally based advocacy group in Idaho as well as the president of the Child and Family Advocacy Society at my university of study. These many opportunities have been very rewarding for me and I am excited to continue taking opportunities to advocate for children and families throughout my life. When I am not busy advocating for the family I love to be outdoors enjoying nature specifically in my garden and with my houseplants. I also love spending time with my sisters and mom and reading good books. 

I'm Mariah Jordan, a devoted mother of two who is passionate about fostering unity among people. I firmly believe that diversity is our strength, advocating that we don't have to be the same to be one. Emphasizing the importance of civil conversations, I recognize that societal division begins when open dialogue ceases. Inspired by my children, I strive for a world filled with connection and understanding, where individuals celebrate their differences. Pursuing my degree in catering and event planning, I see it as a means to create spaces where people can come together, forge meaningful connections, and experience the power of unity firsthand. Through my work, I aim to keep the lines of communication open and respectful, bridging gaps, nurturing bonds, and cultivating a sense of belonging that transcends barriers, ultimately fostering a more connected and compassionate society.

Hi! My name is Katrina Hough. I have been married to my loving husband for 3 years and have a son. I was born in Utah but spent most of my life traveling the country. I will be graduating soon with my bachelors and have had many opportunities to advocate for the family including my internship with Family Watch International & Big Ocean Women. There is nothing more powerful than looking into a child’s eyes and seeing innocence reflected back at you. As parents we should want to protect that innocence as long as we can for our children. It is our responsibility. Why I am interested in helping to create this Summit is because so many organizations are pushing for anti-family agendas. I am passionate about the family and what it does for a child's development. I am passionate about finding truth and honest research.

My name is Kayla Loris and I've decided to be a part of this Summit because I believe that each of us was sent to this world to do something great. I feel that one of my purposes in life is to advocate for truth which is the core purpose of this Summit. As I've been studying family advocacy, I've gained a deep passion for honest research, strong familial ties, and the power of identity. Each of us are searching to be accepted for who we really are and what more important place to feel accepted than in your family and relationships? When you leave this Summit I hope you understand more profoundly the definition and responsibilities of love. I also hope you leave with a fire ignited in your soul, driving you to raise the bar in your families and relationships.  

I’m Erica, and I’m a student about to get my bachelor in Marriage and Family Studies. I’m married to my best friend, who supports me in my advocacy work and passion for families. I had the opportunity to work with United Families International and other nonprofit organizations to defend the family and help individuals strengthen their lives and their families. There is no greater work to be done than this. I want to share my knowledge and experience with as many people as possible. So, when I heard about an opportunity to be part of the committee for the Summit, I immediately joined and started to work hard to plan details about the agenda, marketing, and workshops. I’m passionate about technology and the pros and cons of it. So many of us are not aware of the influence that the “online world” has on many youth. While technology is not the only cause of many risks, it plays a vital part in the formation of youth identity. I believe we can prepare youth to know how to navigate the virtual world.

I’m Kallie Kerr and I’m about to finish up my degree in Marriage and Family Studies this fall! I am passionate about educating families, refining communication with others, and self-improvement. I married my best friend who inspires me to be better each and every day with his kindness and compassion. I’m thrilled about my part in the Summit because I’ve seen the harm unhealthy communication can do and the healing that love and healthy communication provide, which is what I hope to inspire in everyone I meet and teach. I’m going to lead a workshop on handling difficult conversations here at the Summit, and I’m so excited to give you the tools you need to have more productive interactions! I just hope that my imperfect example will not hinder my abilities to teach my workshop or your willingness to attend it. If you’re still reading this, my hobbies include baking, cooking, painting, singing, playing the piano, sports (not golf) and anything else you could think of. If people are there, so am I!

My name is Armando Aragon. I have been married for 7 years, and I am a father of 2 amazing boys. I was born in Mexico and I am currently finishing my bachelors degree in Marriage and Family Studies. I decided to participate in this Summit because it is a great opportunity for young people, like us, to speak up and share the knowledge and passion that we have concerning what is best for our society and our families. I am excited to meet others who want to come together and build each other. I love my family more than anything and I firmly believe that as we focus on supporting healthy family structures we can truly change our society’s future for the better. 

Hi, I'm Annalee Blonquist! While I've lived all over the United States, I'm currently a college student in Salt Lake City, UT, studying Classical Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Family Policy. I'm thrilled to be a part of this summit and to help spread the message that healing and strengthening our families through the application of true principles can heal and strengthen the world. I'm even more excited that this is a youth summit! I've spent a lot of time working with youth and serving with young adults, and I firmly believe that the young people of our time have the capacity to make a greater impact on the world than any of us can currently imagine. Along with my passion for families and youth, I love to write and speak, be outside in the sunshine, visit new places, and invent healthy(ish) recipes - but honestly, none of those can top a good phone call with my mom! ;) I believe life is most joyful and fulfilling when we spend our time seeking truth, beauty, and goodness, applying those things in our lives, and then sharing them with those around us through word and deed.

Emily is a recent graduate from Brigham Young University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in editing and publishing. While at BYU, she served as president of the pro-life club. She also worked as a university writing tutor, a managing editor for Stowaway magazine, and an assistant editor for BYU Continuing Education. Currently, she works as an editorial intern for the publishing services department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Outside of work, she loves reading books, planning (and that means planning everything: meals, workouts, work priorities, outfits, you name it), shopping at the farmer's market, and playing games with her family. Emily is passionate about helping others develop their personal strengths and set meaningful goals. She is excited to be part of this conference and hopes that all those who attend will come away with worthwhile insights to apply to their lives and families.